Monday, January 23, 2006

Hamas: Talks with Israel not a taboo

Will it be Hamas that will make peace with Israel after all?

Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar raised the possibility on Monday of future negotiations with Israel through a third party. "Negotiations are a means. If Israel has anything to offer on the issues of halting attacks, withdrawal, releasing prisoners ... then 1,000 means can be found," Senior al-Zahar told reporters. As an example, he cited contacts Lebanese group Hizbullah held with Israel, via German mediators, for the release of Lebanese held in Israeli jails."Negotiation is not a taboo," al-Zahar said. "But the political crime is when we sit with the Israelis and then come out with a wide smile to tell the Palestinian people that there is progress, when in fact, there is not.

Israel officials have been debating recently how to react in the face of an expected Hamas gains in the elections. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert already appointed a special team to closely monitor security and diplomatic developments on that front.http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3205217,00.html

 

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